School Counselor Hourly Pay in Rialto, CA: $47.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Rialto, CA runs $47.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,513 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Rialto's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,107 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $47.36 in Rialto, California, school counselors earn significantly more than their national counterparts, who make $30.93 per hour on average. This higher rate reflects the cost of living in the region, allowing for better compensation for those working in various capacities such as elementary guidance, middle school counseling groups, individual high school counseling sessions, or college admissions. In this profession, hourly wages can range from $31.43 at the entry level to $73.41 for the most experienced counselors in Rialto. Such figures provide a foundation for understanding both part-time opportunities and per-diem scenarios, where school counselors may engage in a variety of tasks within the educational setting, ensuring that resources are available for students' mental health and well-being.
About the Rialto Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.43 | $251.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.22 | $289.74 |
| Median (P50) | $47.36 | $378.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.63 | $485.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.41 | $587.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rialto
Based on $47.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.36/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rialto, CA can expect to earn approximately $98,512 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,834. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rialto.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rialto
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,894.46 | $8,209 | $98,512 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,136.67 | $4,926 | $59,107 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $757.78 | $3,284 | $39,405 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Rialto) | $47.36 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Rialto, CA earn a median of $98,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 53.13% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.80% above the California state average of $96,771.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.36/hr = $59,107/year (purchasing power: $52,261).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,512/year (purchasing power: $87,101).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Rialto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Rialto grew 12.8% from $41.15/hr (2019) to $46.41/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rialto metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Rialto
For part-time school counselors, often working three days a week, the income can vary dramatically from full-time positions. A 24-hour work schedule could mean an annual take-home that significantly differs from the typical full-time scenario. Those in per-diem roles might charge upwards of $150-$400 per hour for private college counseling, reflecting a stark contrast to their school salaries. In Rialto, hourly rates depend on the employer type, with public school districts typically falling within the published range, while private institutions or specialty roles may offer higher compensation. Counselors often face tough decisions between lower hourly rates for employment with health benefits versus higher pay without those benefits. Negotiating these terms can be crucial, especially in a competitive field where effective negotiation strategies are necessary to enhance compensation and job satisfaction in the evolving landscape of counseling post-COVID.
More salary data for Rialto, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Rialto. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rialto is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov